The three experimental pairs displaced less than 300 tons but were expected to accompany the fleet in open water. Their rounded low forecastles were meant to smooth the passage of waves over a hull too small to ride above them. In practice, the arrangement did not keep the forward part of the ship dry. The 12-pounder gun crew and the officer conning the vessel worked in an especially exposed position. Crews of roughly forty to fifty sailors therefore paid in comfort and safety for the speed and compact size demanded by the new mission.
Notable Point · 37:40-39:01
Low forecastles left early destroyer crews exposed
The first destroyers used a rounded low forecastle to manage rough water on sub-300-ton hulls, but the arrangement left the forward gun and conning position exposed to the sea.